Celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), 22nd May, 2015

United Nations proclaimed the celebrations of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) every Year on 22nd May to increase understanding and awareness on biodiversity issues. Every year, Secretariat of the CBD announces the theme to highlight specific focus area relating to biodiversity. The theme of International Biodiversity Day 2015 was “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This year’s theme reflects the importance of efforts towards biodiversity conservation made at all levels to achieve the goal of a sustainable development.

Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development and human well- being because it provides people with basic ecosystem goods such as food, fiber, medicine, and services like air and water purification, climate regulation, erosion control and nutrient cycling. Biodiversity also plays an important role in economic sectors that drive development, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, etc.

Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production threaten to deteriorate our natural resources including biodiversity. Governments are increasingly recognizing that moving to green, clean and resilient development. Development needs to be guided by environmental, social, cultural and ethical considerations, to make it sustainable. The GDPs of Nations alone are not a sufficient measure of sustainable development. An assessment of the progress achieved upto 2014 to realize the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the United Nations also indicates an uneven progress across the regions.

Punjab is recognized as a classic example of fast developing economy with an agricultural base. However, the State’s natural ecosystems are facing an ecological backlash due to input-intensive agricultural practices and over exploitation of natural resources, like soil, water & biodiversity, beyond the carrying capacities of natural ecosystems. Therefore, it is imperative that all our future economic policies and programmes should be formulated and executed on the principles of sustainable development.

Celebration of International Biodiversity Day provides a befitting opportunity to elicit thinking of developing on sustainable grounds among all the stakeholders to motivate them to take positive actions for conservation & sustainable utilization of biodiversity. Every year since 2008, Punjab Biodiversity Board had undertaken a number of activities to create awareness among masses about the biodiversity related issues on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day all across the State. These awareness and capacity building activities had been organized by involving all the stakeholders i.e. District Administrations, Universities, Colleges, NGOs, Pushpa Gujral Science City, BMCs, Schools, etc. PBB has celebrated International Biodiversity Day-2015 on the theme of “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” by involving all the stakeholders.

Click on the following links for year wise brief summary of activities undertaken for celebrating International Biodiversity Day in Punjab

Celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity, 2017 in PunjabPunjab Biodiversity Board celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity, 2017 by undertaking series of activities throughout the state from 22nd to 2nd June, 2017. The activities were carried out by involving Department of Forests & Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, Pushpa Gujral Science City, District Administrations, Universities, Colleges, Schools, Pro-active NGOs, etc and with financial support of National Biodiversity Authority, Govt. of India. The gist of activities is as under:

Publication of Advertisement:

An advertisement for celebration of International Biodiversity Day, 2017 was published in leading English & Punjabi Newspapers for raising awareness among masses about the biodiversity and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

State Level Programme & Census of State Animal of Punjab:

A State level programme was organized by Punjab Biodiversity Board in collaboration with the Department of Forests & Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, Govt. of Punjab to commemorate International Day for Biological Diversity, 2017 on 31st May at Abohar, District Fazilka. Additional Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman District Biodiversity Management Committee, Fazilka was the Chief Guest of the event. The census of State Animal of Punjab (Blackbuck) was also taken up as a special action oriented activity to mark the IDB, 2017 in a befitting manner.State level celebrations were followed up with an orientation workshop for the selected participants involving Officers/officials of Ferozepur Wildlife Division, experts from WWF-India, selected wildlife photographers/ enthusiasts from Punjab and volunteers from Bishnoi community for conducting the census of the State Animal “Blackbuck”. The census of Blackbuck was carried out on 1st & 2nd June, 2017 at Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary in collaboration with Department of Forests & Wildlife Preservation, Punjab.

Other Programmes organized in the State

Twenty four (24) programmes were conducted throughout the State in collaboration with Academic Institutions (Universities, Colleges and Schools), Non Governmental Organizations and Village BMCs. Approx. 700 participants were directly sensitized on biodiversity related issues and concept of eco-tourism. The target participants were BMCs/ TSGs, Officers/officials of District/Block level relevant Govt. Departments, Teachers, Students and General Public. Various events involving Expert lectures, Brainstorming sessions, Seminar & Panel discussions, competitions, Science plays, Exhibitions, Distribution of awareness material, field visits and plantation drives were carried out to commemorate IDB, 2017. The activities were carried out by collaborating with the following institute/organizations:

2016: “Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods”

Punjab Biodiversity Board published advertisement for celebration of International Biodiversity Day, 2016 in leading English & Punjabi Newspapers for raising awareness among masses to conserve biodiversity & bio-resources and celebrate the day in a befitting manner.

Punjab Biodiversity Board in collaboration with Punjab State Council for Science & Technology published 2200 copies of PSCST’s monthly science Magazine ‘Nirantar Soach’ (in punjabi) on the theme of “Biodiversity” to commemorate International Day for Biological Diversity, 2016. The magazine has been distributed to various Schools, organizations, institutes etc. for purpose of spreading message of biodiversity conservation in masses.

Other Programmes organized in the State Other twenty three (23) programmes were conducted throughout the State in collaboration with Academic Institutions (Universities, Colleges and Schools), Non Governmental Organizations and Village BMCs. The target participants were Officers of District/Block level relevant Govt. Departments, Teachers, Students and General Public. The details are as under:

Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) organized a State level Programme for celebration of International Biodiversity day on 22.05.2015 through organizing a variety of events including Expert Lectures, Screening of Documentary films, Special visits to Science Galleries and 3-D & Climate Change theatres aimed to raise awareness among students, Govt Officers/Officials and BMC members for the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity resources. Inter school painting Competition was also organized for students from different schools during the occasion. Special brainstorming session with the District/Village BMCs was also organized on the important provisions of ABS Guidelines, 2014 notified by National Biodiversity Authority, Govt. of India. More than 45 members of district/village level BMCs and representatives of Govt. Line Departments participated in the brainstorming session. More than 400 students & teachers participated in other events.

The Punjabi University Patiala organized a seminar to observe the occasion on 29th May, 2015. Professor (Dr.) MIS Saggoo, Additional Dean Research, Punjabi University, Patiala was the Guest of honour. Prof. (Dr.) Dinesh Bhatt, an Eminent expert, Deptt. of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar delivered a keynote address on “Avian Biodiversity” and important role of Acoustic communication in establishing phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships among species, at the occasion. The event was attended by more than 85 faculty members, researchers and students.

At Punjab University Chandigarh, Centre for Industry Institute Partnership Programme (CIIPP), Panjab University, in association with Research Promotion Cell, Panjab University celebrated the International Biodiversity Day - 2015 on 29th May, 2015 by organizing a seminar in the conference Hall of Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh on the theme “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”. About 90 participants consisting of students and faculty members of Panjab University and neighbouring institutes attended the Programme.

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, GNDU celebrated IBD, 2015 on 26.05.2015 by organizing two special lectures on the theme “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” and also organized poem, declamation, essay writing contests to generate awareness among the students about biodiversity related issues.

The Central University Bathinda, celebrated the Biological Diversity day on 22nd May, 2015. Various expert lecturers, competitions and on spot quiz for the participants were organized. Nearly 300 people participated in this programme which included teachers and students from various schools, colleges, institutes, representatives from NGOs and general Public.

The Desh Bhagat University Mandi Gobindgarh, celebrated International Biodiversity Day -2015 on 03.2015 at University premises. On the occasion, expert lectures were delivered by the Resource persons. Prof. Amrik Singh Ahluwalia, Professor, Deptt. of Botanical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh delivered a key note address on ‘Importance of Biodiversity’.

Five village level BMCs of District Hoshiarpur and 4 village level BMCs of District Pathankot celebrated IBD, 2015 by organizing various activities like lectures, plantation programmes and student rallies to create awareness on biodiversity conservation.

Diffuse Environmental Education Keep Society Humbly Aware (DEEKSHA), a Mohali based NGO organized a workshop on Biodiversity for the school children at Government Senior Secondary School, Gandiwind, Tarn Taran on 27th May, 2015.

Institute of Ecology & Environment (IEE), a NGO Pathankot celebrated International Biodiversity day on 25th May, 2015 at 2ASD (18 FAD), Mamun Cantt, Pathankot. Mr. Naresh Mahajan, Divisional Forest Officer, Pathankot was the Chief Guest of the programme. Series of lectures were delivered by the experts on the occasion. About 70 Army Cadets attended the programme.

Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission celebrated International Biodiversity day on 23rd May, 2015 at Sri Guru Arjun Dev Senior Secondary School, Tarn Taran. Expert talks on the issues concerning biodiversity conservation were delivered during the programme. More than 300 students, teachers and local volunteers from IT.I participated in the programme.

Abhilasha Foundation, Bathinda organized a one day seminar on the theme “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” on 29th May, 2015 at Govt. Rajindra College, Bathinda. Sh. Varinder Kumar Sharma, IAS, ADC (D) and Chairman of District BMC, Bathinda was the Chief Guest of the Programme. About 100 participants from different fields including students, farmers, teachers, local people etc. attended the programme

Lok Kalyan Samiti celebrated the International Biodiversity Day on 26.5.2015 at Khalsa College Sr. Sec. School Girls, Amritsar by conducting declamation contests of students on biodiversity and plantations. The programme was attended by 210 students, teachers and volunteers.

Sant Longowal, Social Welfare Society, Sangrur celebrated IBD, 2015 on 22.05.2015 at Gharachon Village, Distt. Sangrur. Mr. Prakash Chand Garg, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Govt. of Punjab was the Chief Guest of the programme. Student competitions including debate, painting & slogan writing were organised on the theme of Biodiversity. An awareness rally was organized and plays on biodiversity were performed by the students on the occasion.

Social Action for Women Empowerment and Rural Advancement, Amritsar based NGO organized a programme for celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity, 2015 on 22.05.2015 at Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Ajnala, Distt. Amritsar. About 150 participants including teachers students and villagers participated in the programme.

Global college of Pharmacy, Anandpur Sahib celebrated IBD, 2015 on 24th May by organizing expert lectures and student competitions. Approximately 100 participants including college/school students, faculty members and local people participated in the event.

Govt. Primary School, Machaki Mal, District Faridkot celebrated IBD-2015 by organizing a series of program during the week from 22.05.2015 to 31.05.2015 including seminar cum workshop on “Women are the best Custodian of Biodiversity”, drawing & painting competitions, biodiversity exploration camp, rally, awareness through resource on biodiversity in kitchen and installation of birds’ nests.

The Panjab University, Chandigarh, Centre for Industry Institute Partnership Programme (CIIPP) organized a seminar to observe the occasion. Dr. Neelima Jerath, Member Secretary, Punjab Biodiversity Board delivered a keynote address on ’Economics of Biodiversity and Biological Diversity Act, 2002’ at the occasion. The event was attended by more than 75 faculty members, researchers and students.

At Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, a seminar on "Climate Change- Effects on Water Resources, Agriculture and Biodiversity" was organized on 29.05.2014 by the School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology. Scientists from different departments, students, farmers and farm women participated in this seminar.

At Punjabi University Patiala, a workshop on the Theme "Island Biodiversity" was organized on 27-05-2014 by Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences. About 180 participated in the workshop including Faculty members, teachers and students from different colleges, Research Scholars and University Students.

The Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot organized "National Workshop on Effect of Water Quality on Medicinal Plant Biodiversity and Health" on 30.05.14 at for the Bio-resource based industry, Ayurveda physicians, researchers, NGOs, students and general public. Approx. 50 participants including Post graduate students and Ph.D. Scholars from three colleges namely University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Faridkot, University Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Faridkot, and Lyalpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar attended the event.

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, organized two special lectures on the theme "Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World" and also conducted essay writing contest to generate awareness among the students about biodiversity related issues.

Chandigarh University, Ghauran celebrated International Biodiversity Day on 28th May, 2014 at the University campus by organizing expert talks on Conversation of Biodiversity, exhibition and essay writing contests. About 225 participants attended the event including students from various disciplines and faculty members.

Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) celebrated International Biodiversity day on 21.05.2014 through a variety of events including Expert Lectures, Screening of Documentary films and Painting Competitions aimed to raise awareness among students and visitors for the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity resources. About 300 students from different schools participated during the occasion.

A District level Programme was organized by Department of Education on 26.05.2014 at Govt. Sen. Sec. School (Boys), Nangal. The programme was attended by approximately 300 participants including representatives of various line departments, teachers and students.

District Biodiversity Management Committee, Mansa celebrated IB Day, 2014 on 22.05.2014 at Govt. Sen. Sec. School, Bhaini Baaga, district Mansa under the chairmanship of S. Harinder Singh Sra, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) cum Chairman, District BMC. Expert lectures on Importance of biodiversity and its conservation’ were delivered for the awareness of students and general public.

Diffuse Environmental Education Keep Society Humbly Aware (DEEKSHA), a Mohali based NGO organized a seminar on "Biodiversity Conservation: Role of Educators" on 26.05.2014 at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Chandigarh. The seminar was attended by 100 students and teachers. Four expert lectures were delivered.

Abhilasha Foundation, Bathinda organized a one day seminar on "Biodiversity of Punjab" at Zila Parishad Hall, Mukstar Sahib on 22.05.2014 by organizing three expert lectures with respect to biodiversity issues of Punjab. The programme was inaugurated by of Ms. Sonali Giri, ADC (D) cum chairperson District BMC. District People Biodiversity Register (PBR) being prepared District BMC was also discussed during the meeting. The program was attended by 75 participants including representative of Govt. departments, members of district BMC/TSG and NGOs.

Lok Kalyan Samiti celebrated the International Biodiversity Day on 24.5.2014 at Mata Gangan Sen Sec School Tarn Taran by organizing declamation contests and plantation drive.

Institute of Ecology & Environment, a NGO Pathankot conducted a series of programmes. A public meeting with District BMC/TSG members was organized on 23.05.2014 at Village Badhani, District Pathankot. An exhibition and a seminar on the theme ’Biodiversity conservation in changing climatic pattern on earth’ were also organized. Approximately 200 participants including students, teachers and members of district BMC/TSG attended the programme.

Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission, NGO based at Amritsar organized expert lectures, competitions and quiz for the participants including students, teachers and volunteers on 26-05-2014 for celebration of IBD, 2014.

Sai Dharam Singh Grover Foundation, NGO, Derabassi, District Mohali, organized a program for celebration of IB Day, 2014 on 29th May 2014 at Govt. Senior Sec.School, Raikot,Dist. Ludhiana. Lectures and painting competitions were conducted during the programme. Approx. 85 students participated in the competitions

A seminar on "Biodiversity and Water conservation" was organized by Global College of Pharmacy (Anandpur Sahib) on 22.05.2014 by conducting three expert lectures. A declamation contest on biodiversity was also organized on the occasion and 8 students participated in the contest.

Govt. Primary School, Machaki Mal, Distt. Faridkot celebrated IBD-2014 by organizing a series of programs on and around 22nd May, 2014 which include rally, drawing & painting competition, expert lectures, and declamation contest on ‘Biodiversity’ and plantation drive. Informative material was also distributed among the participants and general public during rally.

PBB, in collaboration with Punjab State Council for Science & Technology and ENVIS Centre, put up an Exhibition at Students’ Centre of Panjab University, Chandigarh on 22-05-2013 with a purpose to create awareness among students.

Central University of Punjab, Bathinda in collaboration with PBB organized a series of expert lectures. Expert lectures were delivered by eminent scientists representing different aspects of the biodiversity.

Panjabi University, Patiala organized a one day seminar on “Conservation of Biodiversity and Water”. The seminar was attended by more than 300 participants including students, research scholars, faculty members.

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar celebrated IB Day by organizing workshop on “Relationship between Water and Biodiversity” at Botany Department of University. During the workshop various programmes were organized i.e. a series of lectures on various aspects of biodiversity. Beside it, poster/pamphlet competition were also organized among the students with the purpose to generate awareness among the students

Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot conducted a seminar cum exhibition on “Biodiversity Based Traditional Medicine” in their premises. About 100 participants including members of District level BMCs attended the seminar as well as exhibition.

Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, celebrated International Biodiversity Day by organizing activities like expert talks, painting competition photography competition, a play on conservation of biodiversity and distributed information brochures on watering biodiversity and ecosystem management released by National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai. The target audience was students, teachers, and general public.

Department of Botany, Dolphin PG College of Life Sciences, Chunni-Kalan, Fatehgarh Sahib have celebrated International Biodiversity Day by organizing a one day seminar on the importance of biodiversity. About 5 sapling of shady trees were also planted in the premises of the college.

A special seminar on “Biodiversity and Water conservation” was organized by Global College of Pharmacy (Anandpur Sahib) by conducting a series of lectures from the students of the college.

A special district level programme was organized by District Science Supervisor at Govt. Adarsh Sen. Sec. School Anandpur Sahib, Distt. Rupnagar, under the chairmanship of District Education Officer Rupnagar. The programme was attended by school students, teachers, members of biodiversity management committees and technical support groups of District Rupnagar and general public. Activities including exhibition, paper reading competition, play on biodiversity & a series of lecture on different aspects of biodiversity were organized.

Institute of Ecology & Environment, Pathankot conducted a seminar on “Biodiversity Conservation”.An exhibition on traditional Health care was also organized.

Diffuse Environmental Education Keep Society Humbly Aware (DEEKSHA) conducted a workshop on “Conservation and Preservation of Biodiversity” at Sant Isher Singh Public School, Mohali. Various lectures on the different aspects of biodiversity was present by experts. Beside it, various competitions such as Quiz, slogan writing competition was also conducted.

Abhilasha Foundation, Bathinda organized a one day seminar on “Biodiversity and its uses” at Zila Parishad Hall, Mukstar Sahib. The programme was inaugurated by ADC (D). About 200 peoples including members of District level BMCs attended the workshop.

Sai Dharam Singh Grover Foundation, Derabassi, celebrated this day by organizing a training programme to develop some handicrafts items from weeds of water hyacinth etc. to villagers, local women and school students.

Govt. Primary School, Machaki Mal, Distt. Faridkot celebrated the day by organizing a seminar on ‘Threats to Biodiversity,’ and undertook various other activities like competitions, declamation contests, plantation of medicinal plant in the school premises etc. Beside it, school also exhibited a exhibition on traditional foods of Punjab.

Punjabi University Patiala celebrated the day by organizing one day National Seminar on “Marine Biodiversity and its importance”. Beside conducting special lectures on biodiversity, various programmes such as posters competition related to various aspects of biodiversity, plantation programmes and a rally were also organized.

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar celebrated the day by organizing Workshop on “Aquatic Biodiversity and livelihoods in Punjab” on 22.05.2012 at Botany Department of University.During the workshop various programmes were organized i.e. a series of lectures on marine biodiversity, photography competition on various aspects of biodiversity and a documentary film on “Importance of biodiversity” were also shown to the students

Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, celebrated International Biodiversity Day by organizing activities like expert lecture on “ Impact of First Green Revolution and the Ecological Crisis in Punjab”, distribution of informative brochures on conservation and management of wildlife resources to the general public, plantation , one documentary film on “Securing our future” etc. The target audience was students, teachers, and general public.

Global College of Pharmacy (Anandpur Sahib) celebrated this day by organizing a special seminar on “Marine biodiversity”. In the seminar series of lectures on marine biodiversity was delivered by resource persons

A special district level programme was organized by District Science Supervisor at Shiwalik Public School, Rupnagar, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Rupnagar, Sh. Pardeep Agarwal IAS in which school students, teachers, members of biodiversity management committees and technical support groups of District Rupnagar and general public were participated. Various activities such as exhibition, paper reading competition, play on biodiversity & a series of lecture on different aspects of biodiversity were conducted. Besides, it a film on biodiversity were also shown to the students

NGO Institute of Ecology & Environment, Pathankot conducted seminar on “Biodiversity Conservation” beside it visit to study the species in Chatpat Bani village Katruchak and an exhibition on traditional Health care were also organized.

Govt. Primary School, Machaki Mal, Distt. Faridkot celebrated the day by organizing a seminar on ‘Threats to Biodiversity,’ competitions, plantation and many other activities etc.

230 different programmes on Biodiversity were organized in 98 schools of the state covered under National Green Corps (NGC) programme.

District level BMCs at Hoshiarpur and Patiala celebrated the day by organizing various activities relating to biodiversity which included lectures on biodiversity, exhibition and plantation programmes etc.

Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, celebrated International Biodiversity Day by organizing different activities like poster presentation, distribution of informative brochures on conservation and management of natural resources to the general public, plantation, etc. The target audience were students, general public, teachers, academicians and researchers.

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana celebrated the day by organizing a seminar-cum-exhibition on ‘Biodiversity in Agriculture’. More than 100 participants attended the programme included farmers, sarpanch, faculty members, research fellows and students of university.

A special district level programme was organized by District Science Supervisor at Govt. Senior Secondary School, Nangal under the chairmanship of District Forest Officer, Nangal which include visit of students to Nangal wetland, quiz and painting competitions, etc.

Global College of Pharmacy (Anandpur Sahib) celebrated this day by organizing a seminar on “Importance of Biodiversity”. The programme included lectures on threats to biodiversity, various competitions (drawing/painting etc.) and a play on importance of biodiversity.

Govt. Primary School, Machaki Mal, Distt. Faridkot celebrated the day by organizing a seminar on ‘Men & Trees’ besides it various other activities were also taken up such as painting, poem, declamation etc.

265 different programmes on Biodiversity were organized in 120 schools of the state covered under National Green Corps (NGC) programme.

A national workshop on “Conservation of Biodiversity and its sustainable utilization” was organized on 22nd, May 2010 at University Centre of Excellence in Research, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. The workshop was attended by more than 135 participants from all over Punjab which included experts on biodiversity, representatives from industries utilizing bio-resources, vaids and faculty from different Ayurvedic colleges, medicinal plant growers, agriculturists, students and general public.

A workshop on Extraction of Volatile oils/ Bee-Keeping and Pearl culture was organized by Global College of Pharmacy, Ropar.

Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, celebrated International Biodiversity Day by organizing different activities like poster presentation, distribution of informative brochures on conservation and management of natural resources to the general public, plantation, etc. The target audiences were students (6th to 12th Class), general public, teachers, academicians and researchers.

A special district level programme was organized by District Science supervisor at Ropar under the chairmanship of District Education Officer, Ropar. The programme included visit of students and teachers to a nature trail and quiz and painting competitions, etc.

265 different programmes on Biodiversity were organized in 120 schools of the state covered under National Green Corps (NGC) programme.

Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, celebrated International Biodiversity Day by organizing quiz competitions, lectures, display of posters and banners and distribution of informative brochures/pamphlets amongst students and general visitors to the Science City.

2 NGOs and 13 BMCs celebrated this day by organizing various programmes related to Biodiversity

267 different programmes on Biodiversity were organized in 118 schools of the state covered under National Green Corps (NGC) programme.

Five camps for fifty villages in Shivaliks were organized with the help of NGOs at Durang Khad in District Gurdaspur on 20th May , Dholbaha & Chohal in District Hoshairpur on 20th & 21st May and at Dher & Lodhi Majra in Ropar District on 24th May, 2006. More than 500 villagers participated. These included panchayat members, local teachers, vaids & other eminent persons.

Five camps for fifty villages in Shivaliks were organized with the help of NGOs at Durang Khad in District Gurdaspur on 20th May , Dholbaha & Chohal in District Hoshairpur on 20th & 21st May and at Dher & Lodhi Majra in Ropar District on 24th May, 2006. More than 500 villagers participated. These included panchayat members, local teachers, vaids & other eminent persons.

A Teacher Training program on ‘Biodiversity’ under on the theme “Biodiversity – Nurture Nature for our Future” on 22nd of May, 2006, was organized at Chandigarh. A total of 50 participants from all over Punjab attended the workshop

A special lecture on Biodiversity was organized for School Teachers by World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature – India at Chandigarh

17 District and one State Level Essay Writing Competition for school students( eco club members) was organized

District Level Activities:

Awareness Meet at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar

Seminar on Biodiversity by District Institute for Education & Training (DIET), Ajjowal, District Hoshiarpur

State level essay and poster competition on Biological Diversity was organized for 1700 Eco-club students from schools all over the state.

District Level Activities:

About 90 NGOs and schools/institutions were motivated to celebrate International Biodiversity Day. Institute of Ecology and Environment, Pathankot, Global College of Pharmacy, Ropar and Shivalik College of Pharmacy, Nangal organized lectures and exhibitions on the annual theme.